Wandering With The Pride

The majority of us love animals, and I’ve noticed the majority of those on the internet love cats. So I’m just going to take it a bit further and talk about big cats! Recently I’ve come across an issue that a Zoo near Edinburgh is having to face. They are trying to rescue four stunning male Lions. These Lions are ex-circus, have been abused in the Circus they were in the “care” of. Sadly their definition of care was a tiny cage that housed all four of them, with terrible conditions and hazardous objects that they could easily injure themselves on. Having been castrated and their claws removed from their paws to make it less dangerous for the animal trainers, sadly they are petrified of humans. They cower away from the sight of humans with implements that could potentially hurt them, proving how much they have suffered. These magnificent creatures, reduced to cringing fear. Something that should never be seen. However, after months of hard work, paperwork and fighting, these Lions were rescued. Taken to a wildlife rescue center in Belgium they are now safe and secure, although not permanently. A home is needed for them. A forever home.

One Zoo is trying to step up to this mark. The Five Sisters Zoo in Livingstone near Edinburgh. Known for rescuing ex-circus bears successfully in the past they decided that they could try to give these Lions a home. With a two acre enclosure located, all they need is the money raised to help build it and bring the Lions into their new home. However this is no easy feat for they need £150,000 by April and are currently only at £23,437. When I saw this story, I thought it was time to do something, take my part in helping raise awareness for this and encourage people to pledge and donate just a little money for no amount is too small, it will all help in getting those Lions to a safe forever home. So one day, if you visit this wonderful generous Zoo,  and you wander around their large safe enclosure, you will know that you have had a part in building this home for them.

“Help Give Pride A Place!”

#save4lions

Click here to read the full story and donate to such a wonderful cause!

http://www.fivesisterszoo.co.uk/

Thank you for wandering with me!

Wandering Through Strasbourg

Wandering Through Strasbourg

Map of Strasbourg

Map of Strasbourg

My first trip away, without family or the school was to the beautiful little city of Strasbourg in Eastern France on the border of Germany. Which some might say you can walk to and yes you can, when its not a heat wave and 35 degrees. The hair suffered and don’t even talk about the red face! I stayed their for two nights which was plenty if you are on a flying visit but I always suggest more if you can afford the time and money, simply to take your time exploring. Strasbourg International Airport is their main airport and has a train station within that takes you straight to city center, making it nice and easier to transport to and from your hotel.

Hotel:

Adagio Access Strasbourg Petite France

27 rue de Wasselonne , 67000 Strasbourg, France

The price wasn’t astronomical when we went, and looking it up now for a date in June at random it is £118 for two nights for two people.

The rooms are lovely and contemporary with wonderful air conditioning (We needed it!). With small kitchens if you want to save money and make your own sandwiches for your exploring. There is free wifi access in the hotel, which we all know for our generation is one of the most important aspects. (We tend to shrivel and get all moody without it!). With a 24 hour reception they are a wonderful hotel. If you go via a smaller company or independent guesthouses you might not get this therefore always check out the check in and check out times for they may be limited and not work with your travel times.

Although we didn’t use a car, their is private parking on sight however I am unaware as to whether you have to pay for it. Their is also a buffet continental breakfast in the morning for a certain fee which is often worth it as it sets you up for the day without having to waste time trying to find a place to eat.

Overall the hotel is lovely and welcoming and I would recommend it to those on a budget who still want a nice private hotel, not a hostel.

Places to Visit:

Strasbourg is simply stunning to walk around without even seeing the sights. So first I would simply say…walk. Get to the heart of the city and simply walk, take random turns, go down streets that look interesting, walk along the canal. You will come across beautiful sights they no one suggests on tourists sites. They are beautiful because you have come across them. However make sure you have map with you just in case you take the wrong turn to far trying to get back to the hotel. (It happens a lot!)

Places to see and things to do:

  1. Cathedral of Our Lady of Strasbourg. This simply stunning cathedral cannot be put into words. Its presence in the city silences you once you see it. The architecture of it is incredible and a photographers eye will capture it so well sadly my pictures were not up to standard so I beg you to go look at it online and if you do one day get their, you’ll realize that pictures do not do it justice!
  2. Canal tours. The information you’ll learn is incredible. These tours are not expensive and run regularly throughout the day so you can fit it in with you instead of the other way around. You’ll get to see all the government building which seats the European Parliament and these are a fair way out and a bit harder to walk to and many other buildings and places of interest to captivate you.
  3. Parc de l’Orangerie. This park is in the North of Strasbourg, beautiful and serene with plenty to do and see their. Taking a stroll around it, taking in the scenery will relax you, or you can go to the free small zoo there. They enclosures are smaller than average but well kept and the animals seem to be well looked after. The flamingos love showing off they are a stunning sight to see. The park also includes a children’s car track, bowling and many other fountains and kiosks to browse through.
  4. Kehl. The German border to Strasbourg (The one we walked to…”only a little walk away” more like 7.6km!) You can get the tram part of the way and its wonderful to say you went across a border on your trip.

Restaurants:

Due to the heat we didn’t eat much while we were away, and at night we didn’t venture far due to exhaustion but we did find one little restaurant on the canal and if you book early in the day you may just get a seat on the veranda which is perfect.

Marco Polo – http://www.restaurant-marcopolo.fr/galerie.php?lang=fr&PHPSESSID=njfo8kvdpi8p2u8gbpf4p14co2

5 Pont Couverts
67000 Strasbourg
France
Pictures:
Stunning Strasbourg

Stunning Strasbourg

Petite France

Petite France

Canal

The Beautiful Canals

Cathedral

Cathedral

I hope these ideas have helped you decide that maybe Strasbourg is for you. If you have ever wandered through Strasbourg, let us know your thoughts on it? If you have anymore places you would visit?
Thank you for wandering with me!